The Fashionable Times Principal's Message 9.22.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal Daryl Blank.

As you are planning your schedule for the week I hope you can attend our first Parents Association meeting of the school year, this Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 pm in Room 829.

Once again as we begin the school year, I want to share with you our school goals – our goal is that every member of the High School of Fashion Industries’ community – students, families and staff feel cared for and challenged.  Our belief is that people succeed when they feel they are being cared for and challenged.  Our school community feels strongly that emotions matter at HSFI.  Everything we do at the school will be aligned to these goals.

Thank you to all Fashion Families for your cooperation with this past Friday’s student walkout highlighting climate change and the need to address this threat to our planet.  We had 425 students participate in the walkout.  We do have a Green Team at the school that is focused on making sure that our school does our part to take care of the environment. 

The Green Team and all of our student clubs and activities will be highlighted next Thursday, October 4 during HSFI’s Club Fair.  During students’ lunch periods they can go to the school lobby to see all the choices for student clubs and activities where students and staff from those clubs and activities will be there to provide information and sign up students who are interested in joining them.  All students and families will be reminded about the Club Fair on many occasions over the next two weeks.

It is critically important that all HSFI students check their HSFI email & Jupiter Grades everyday.  Jupiter Grades is our online grading system.  9^th graders should log onto their HSFI email to get the directions to log onto Jupiter Grades.  We will be sending important information out through both these tools – if students do not check them, they will miss out on some valuable opportunities and not know what is going on in the school.

I wanted to give all Fashion Families a heads up that there is no school next Monday and Tuesday due to a religious holiday.

Thank you!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 9.15.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal Daryl Blank.

Once again as we begin the school year, I want to share with you our school goals – our goal is that every member of the High School of Fashion Industries’ community – students, families and staff feel cared for and challenged.  Our belief is that people succeed when they feel they are being cared for and challenged.  Our school community feels strongly that emotions matter at HSFI.  Everything we do at the school will be aligned to these goals.  One of our teachers shared with me a quote that I wanted to share with you – “If a child can do advanced Math, speak 3 languages, or receive top grades, but can’t manage their emotions, practice conflict resolution, or handle stress, none of that other stuff is really going to matter...”

This Tuesday, we will be on an OP (Homeroom) bell schedule where students will receive updated program cards based on the program changes that took change.  In most cases, students will receive the same program that they had before, just on a new piece of paper.  Students who received program changes based off graduation requirements, will receive their new program.  At this OP, students will also receive a printout of Jupiter Grades passwords for family members.  Families, especially of our 9^th graders, should ask for these papers that will contain their temporary passwords to Jupiter Grades.

A major source of communication to students are our grade level assemblies used to insure that our students are informed about everything that is going on at HSFI.  Every month I will be leading an assembly with each grade to let them know what is going on at HSFI and what they should be thinking about.  The assembly schedule for this week is 9^th and 10^th grades on Tuesday, 11^th grade on Wednesday and 12^th grade on Thursday.

This Friday, there is a student walkout planned to highlight climate change and the need to address this threat to our planet.  The New York City Department of Education has announced it would excuse the absences of students who have a parent's permission to participate in the global climate strike.  Here are the main points that you need to be aware of in preparation for this climate protest:

□ Permission slips are required for students who wish to participate

□ Classes are in session for those students who do not wish to leave the building

□ Staff will not accompany students out of the building

□ Students are responsible for all missed work

□ Permission slips to join the protest will be available to students in the Main Office (Room 125), the Guidance Office (Room 101) and the Peace Office (Room 145)

□ Permission slips are due by Wednesday, September 18 and will be handed in to 3^rd period teachers

□ Students leaving the building for the protest will be required to swipe out using CAASS machine in the lobby

□ Re-entry back into the building is not allowed until the end of the student’s school day

The safety of our students is a top priority for us and we will enforce the policies outlined by the New York City Department of Education in handling this protest.

It is critically important that all HSFI students check their HSFI email & Jupiter Grades everyday.  Jupiter Grades is our online grading system.  9^th graders should log onto their HSFI email to get the directions to log onto Jupiter Grades.  We will be sending important information out through both these tools – if students do not check them, they will miss out on some valuable opportunities and not know what is going on in the school.

HSFI families should know that our first Parents Association meeting of the school year is next Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 pm.  It would be great to get a large turnout at the first meeting.

Thank you!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 9.8.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal Daryl Blank.

We have a full week of instruction for our students.  As we begin the school year, I want to share with you our school goals – our goal is that every members of the High School of Fashion Industries’ community – students, families and staff feel cared for and challenged.  Our belief is that people succeed when they feel they are being cared for and challenged.  Our school community feels strongly that emotions matter at HSFI.  Everything we do at the school will be aligned to these goals.

This week beginning on Tuesday we will be running program changes for students who need them.   Please keep in mind that these program changes will only be approved for changes that are needed for meeting graduation requirements.  Changes will not be approved based on teacher preferences.  Returning students will not be allowed to drop honors and Advanced Placement classes that they signed up for last year – we programmed and budgeted for this school year based off these requests.  Students will not be allowed to drop classes that help them meet college and career readiness requirements including their major along with math and science classes.  The expectation is that all HSFI students complete their major program and take 4 years of math and science classes if these classes can fit into their program.  All students must be scheduled for 5 and a half hours of instruction every day.

It is critically important that all HSFI students check their HSFI email & Jupiter Grades everyday.  Jupiter Grades is our online grading system.  9^th graders should log onto their HSFI email to get the directions to log onto Jupiter Grades.  We will be sending important information out through both these tools – if students do not check them, they will miss out on some valuable opportunities and not know what is going on in the school.

HSFI families should know that our first Parents Association meeting of the school year is Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 pm.  It would be great to get a large turnout at the first meeting.

To help us help your child, we are asking Fashion Families to fill out a brief survey that asks the question, ‘How does your child learn best?’  We are asking you to please provide as much information as you wish to help High School of Fashion Industries' teachers support your child.  This information will be shared with teachers and supervisors and NO ONE ELSE.  Here is the link to the Google survey – you will write in your name, your child’s name (and their 9 digit number if you have it) and then there is a place to answer this question.

https://forms.gle/cxTqPJMVswQTe8SW7

Thank you!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 6.23.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal, Daryl Blank. 

Regents continue on Monday and Tuesday.  As we get Regents scores, we will post the scores on the HSFI website.  If a student does not have an exam, they should not report to school unless there is a special event or tutoring session.  Please check with your children to make sure you know which exams they are scheduled to take. 

When students come to school for these Regents exams they should bring: (1) Exam tickets (2) Student identification card and (3) 2 pencils and 2 pens.  It is important that students DO NOT BRING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT INTO THEIR TESTING ROOM. The presence of this electronic equipment with your child will result in their score being invalidated and given a 0 on the exam.  This electronic equipment policy is New York State law.

Make sure your children are studying for these exams as they need them to graduate high school and build up their college resume.

Graduation will take place this Monday, June 24th at United Palace on 175^th Street and Broadway.  Graduates have to be there at 12:30 pm to start lining up.  The doors open for parents and families at 2:00 pm and the ceremony starts at 3:00 pm.  Parking is difficult in the area, but there are two lots on Broadway between 176^th and 177^th Street. 

Wednesday, June 26 is the last day of school where students pick up their diplomas, final report cards and sadly for some, their summer school information.  All students should report to their official class on Wednesday at 8:45 am.  Students who get to school after 9:45 am will not be given these materials.  No exceptions will be made.  9^th, 10^th and 11^th graders will have their materials mailed home to them. 

Seniors will need to come back to school at another time to pick up their diplomas.  If seniors do not pick up their diplomas, they will have to come to the school over the summer to do so.  No exceptions will be made.  Diplomas will not be mailed home.  In order for parents to pick up a diploma on behalf of their child, the student must write a letter giving the parent authorization to pick up the diploma on their behalf.  This letter must be notarized and an appointment for pick up made with Assistant Principal Danielle Silva who can be reached by phone at 212- 255-1235 ext. 1255 or by email at dsilva3@schools.nyc.gov.  An additional opportunity for graduates to pick up diplomas will take place on Thursday, June 27, 2019, from 10:00 am to Noon in Room 101.  The next available date to pick up your diploma after June 27 will be in September by contacting our guidance secretary, Ms. Trotta at 212-255-1235 ext. 1010. 

Thank you for all your support as HSFI parents.  It is a pleasure to serve you and your children as the school’s Principal.  Please do not hesitate to contact me over the summer if you or your child need anything that I can help with.  I would like to say goodbye to all of our senior families who children graduated.

Thank you! Have a great summer!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 6.16.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal, Daryl Blank.

First, Happy Father’s Day to all our HSFI Dads!

As you are planning your schedule for the week I hope you can attend our last Parents Association meeting this Wednesday, June 19 at 6:00 pm. 

Regents begin this Tuesday, June 18.  As we get Regents scores, we will post the scores on the HSFI website.  Exam invitations have been distributed to all students.  If a student does not have an exam, they should not report to school unless there is a special event or tutoring session.  Please check with your children to make sure you know which exams they are scheduled to take. 

When students come to school for these Regents exams they should bring: (1) Exam tickets (2) Student identification card and (3) 2 pencils and 2 pens.  It is important that students DO NOT BRING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT INTO THEIR TESTING ROOM. The presence of this electronic equipment with your child will result in their score being invalidated and given a 0 on the exam.  This electronic equipment policy is New York State law.

Make sure your children are studying for these exams as they need them to graduate high school and build up their college resume.  Please contact anyone of our Assistant Principals—Ms. Moore (English); Mr. Kohm (Math); Mr. Rodrigues (Social Studies); Ms. Frank (Science); Ms. Boulamaali (Majors) - if you have any specific questions about these exams. 

Graduation for seniors is on Monday, June 24.

The last day of school where students pick up their diplomas, final report cards and sadly for some, their summer school information, is on Wednesday, June 26.

Thank you!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 6.9.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal, Daryl Blank.

This Monday is a ‘First Monday of the Month’ schedule where students will start school later and be dismissed from school early so that our staff can meet in teacher teams for professional development.  Students who begin school 1^st period will start at 8:30 am.  Students who begin school 2^nd period will start at 9:09 am.  Students who finish school after 8^th period will be dismissed at 1:43 pm.  Students who finish school after 9^th period will be dismissed at 2:22 pm.

We have 6 days of classes left before Regents examinations.  Make sure your children know this and appreciate the importance of finishing the school year strong.  Students must understand the grades that they receive in June will be the ones that colleges will see.  Make sure you and your children know that that student grades are cumulative, meaning that all grades count during a given term.  Grades do not start over with the third marking period and there are not separate grades for each marking period.  It is important that you and your children know where they stand in their classes and what needs to be done to pass if they are in danger of failing.  If a student fails a class, it should not be a surprise to you or them.  Summer school for students who fail classes begin on Monday, July 1.  This summer, HSFI will be located at Park West High School in Manhattan as our building will be closed for construction.

This week is a regular week of classes and the last full week of classes before the Regents exams.  On Monday, June 10, is the culminating event of our industry partnership with the Kleinfeld Bridal store which is famous for the ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ television show.  This Tuesday, June 11, is the Senior Awards ceremony.  The last day of classes is Monday, June 17.   

Regents exams begin next Tuesday, June 18.  Exam invitations have been distributed to all students.  Please check with your children to make sure you know which exams they are scheduled to take.  Make sure your children are studying for these exams as they need them to graduate high school and build up their college resume.  Students only report to school on days they have Regents examinations.  The June 2019 Regents examination schedule will be placed on the school website.   Please contact anyone of our Assistant Principals—Ms. Moore (English); Mr. Kohm (Math); Mr. Rodrigues (Social Studies); Ms. Frank (Science); Ms. Boulamaali (Majors) - if you have any specific questions about these exams. 

The last Parents Association meeting is on Wednesday, June 19.

All Fashion families should check out the ‘Student Opportunities’ page on our school website.  This page has a long list of opportunities that HSFI students can apply to including summer programs.  You should check it out on a regular basis as new opportunities are constantly being added to the page.  The link on the website is:

https://fashionhighschool.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=393273&type=d

It is critically important that all HSFI students check their HSFI email & Jupiter Grades everyday.  We will be sending important information out through these tools – if students do not check them, they will miss out on some valuable opportunities and not know what is going on in the school.

Thank you!

The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 6.2.19

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal, Daryl Blank.

We have 2 weeks of classes left before Regents examinations.  Make sure your children know this and appreciate the importance of finishing the school year strong.  Students must understand the grades that they receive in June will be the ones that colleges will see.  Make sure you and your children know that that student grades are cumulative, meaning that all grades count during a given term.  Grades do not start over with the third marking period and there are not separate grades for each marking period.  It is important that you and your children know where they stand in their classes and what needs to be done to pass if they are in danger of failing.  If a student fails a class, it should not be a surprise to you or them

I wanted to make all Fashion families aware of this week’s schedule.  This Monday is the administration of the new Global History and Geography Regents that will be given to all our 10^th graders as well as the Comprehensive Arts exam and Fashion Marketing exam.  These students taking these exams are the only students in attendance this Monday.  This Tuesday is no school in observance of the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr.  This Thursday is a staff development day where school staff will be attendance, but no students will be in attendance.

Next week is a regular week of classes and the last full week of classes before the Regents exams.  Next Monday, June 10, is the culminating event of our industry partnership with the Kleinfeld Bridal store which is famous for the ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ television show.  Next Tuesday, June 11, is the Senior Awards ceremony.  The last day of classes is Monday, June 17 and Regents begin the next day on Tuesday, June 18.  Students only report to school on days they have Regents examinations.

The last Parents Association meeting is on Wednesday, June 19.

All Fashion families should check out the ‘Student Opportunities’ page on our school website.  This page has a long list of opportunities that HSFI students can apply to including summer programs.  You should check it out on a regular basis as new opportunities are constantly being added to the page.  The link on the website is:

https://fashionhighschool.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=393273&type=d

It is critically important that all HSFI students check their HSFI email & Jupiter Grades everyday.  We will be sending important information out through these tools – if students do not check them, they will miss out on some valuable opportunities and not know what is going on in the school.

Thank you!